Valved manifold for gauging a plurality of fluid pressures

ABSTRACT

A simply constructed valved manifold permits a single fluid pressure gauge to show, selectively, a number of sources of fluid pressure. The manifold is a block having a longitudinal bore to which the gauge is connected. A plurality of crossbores, each terminating in a counterbore, intersect the longitudinal bore. Gas-free liquid connections are maintained from each counterbore through its crossbore, into the longitudinal bore and to the pressure gauge. A valve stem extends through each crossbore. When a valve stem is momentarily pressed to open, the pressure in the manifold will adjust itself to equal the source of pressure so opened to it; and the gauge will continue to show that pressure until one of the valve stems is again pressed to open position.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Joseph J. Blackmore RR. #1,Edwardsville, 111. 62025; Perry G. Glunt, 91 Wildwood Lane,

Primary Examiner- Louis R. Prince Assistant Examiner- Daniel M. YasichAttorney-Jerome A. Gross ABSTRACT: A simply constructed valved manifoldpermits a single fluid pressure gauge to show, selectively, a number ofsources of fluid pressure. The manifold is a block having a longitudinalbore to which the gauge is connected. A plurality of crossbores, eachterminating in a counterbore, intersect the longitudinal bore. Gas-freeliquid connections are maintained from each counterbore through itscrossbore, into the longitudinal bore and to the pressure gauge. A valvestem extends through each crossbore. When a valve stem is momentarilypressed to open, the pressure in the manifold will adjust itself toequal the source of pressure so opened to it; and the gauge willcontinue to show that pressure until one of the valve stems is againpressed to open position.

ali'lw Z7} 25 VALVED MANIFOLD FOR GAUGlING A PLURALITY OF FLUIDPRESSURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates tothe gauging of pressures, and particularly to gauging, selectively andindividually, a plurality of sources of liquid pressure with a singlepressure gauge.

In systems such as those which circulate water under pressure, it may beimportant to ascertain precise pressures in several parts of the system.As examples, comparing the pressures at the pressure side and thesuction side of a pump will disclose how it is functioning; and anexcessive drop across a strainer in the system may indicate blockage. Touse separate pressure gauges at each such point is disadvantageous; evenexpensive gauges will not be and remain calibrated with each other, anda comparison of their readings may lead to false conclusions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The purposes of the present invention includeproviding a simply constructed valved manifold at whose outlet a singlepressure gauge is connected, which permits the quick taking of readingsof a plurality of sources of pressure, through which there is no liquidflow, and which need not be vented between readings. A further purposeis to provide a method for using a single highly accurate pressure gaugeselectively to gauge a plurality of sources of liquid pressure. Otherpurposes will be apparent from the detailed description herein.

Briefly summarized, a valved manifold is constructed of a block having alongitudinal bore terminating in a bore outlet which has means to attachsuch a pressure gauge. Across the manifold block extend a plurality ofcrossbores which intersect the longitudinal bore; each crossbore ends ina counterbore to which is connected one of the sources of pressure. Avalve stem through each crossbore bears valving mechanism, including afirst O-ring to seal the crossbore portion remote from the counterbore,a second O-ring which moves out ofthe crossbore into the counterbore foropening and returns into it for closing; and a projecting key whichserves as a stop to limit closing movement.

According to the method of the present invention, gas-free liquidconnections are made from sources of pressure, at each counterbore,through the adjacent valved portions of the crossbores and into thelongitudinal bore. When only one crossbore is open, so that all but oneof such sources of pressure are shut off by the sealing engagement ofthe second rings within the ends of the other crossbores, the pressurein the manifold will adjust itself to equal that of the one source ofpressure open to the manifold. This pressure will remain in the manifoldafter that valve has closed. When the valve to another source ofpressure is opened, the manifold pressure will readjust itself,increasingly or decreasingly, to equal it. The same liquid remains inthe manifold at all times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawing is a view, partly inelevation and partly broken away, of a valved manifold embodying thepresent invention, for connection to a plurality of pressure sources. Asimple pressure gauge is shown in solid lines. Attachment ofa secondgauge for testing is shown in phantom lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The basic element of the valvemanifold shown in the drawings is a manifold block generally designated10, which may be machined from brass of sufiicient thickness, saythreefourths inch, to accommodate the parts and functions describedherein. The manifold block has longitudinal parallel left and rightsurfaces l1, l2 and terminates in upper and lower edge surfaces 13, 14.

A longitudinal bore 15 extends lengthwise vertically through themanifold block 10 at its midthickness. It terminates at the lowersurface 14 in a secondary pressure outlet 16, which is tapped to receivea threaded coupling 17 normally sealedly capped by a cap nut 18. At theupper edge surface 13, the bore 15 has a similarly capped principalpressure outlet 20 which receives a short threaded tube 2i onto which aprincipal pressure gauge generally designated 22 is mounted.

Bored horizontally through the block, at its midthickness so as toextend between the left and right side edges ll, 12 and intersect thelongitudinal bore I5, are three crossbores generally designated 25. Eachhas sunk within the left edge surface 11, a counterbore 26 terminatingin a shoulderlike counterbore end surface 27. Each counterbore 26 hastapped threads, so as to serve as means to make an inlet connection froma separate source of fluid pressure, through a typical inlet connector28.

Within the right edge 12, annular spring seats 30 are machinedconcentric with the crossbores 25. into each seat 30 is fitted a spiralcompression spring 31.

A metal valve stem generally designated 35 passes through each of thecrossbores 25. Onto the upper end 36 of each stem 35 is an actuatingknob 37, held by a set screw 38. An annular groove 39 in the under sideof each actuating knob 37 fits over its compression spring 31, so thatthe spring will urge the stem 35 to the left, which is its closedposition, as shown at the middle of FIG. 1.

The stems 35 are preferably machined from round rod stock whose diameteris nearly that of the crossbores 25. The stem portion extendingbetweenthe bore 15 and the right surface 12 has a circumferentialseal-seating groove 40 in which a first O-ring seal 41 is received. Tothe left of the portion so grooved and extending toward the left end tobe described, each stem 35 has a broad circumferential groove 42, whichmay be considered as pressure-communicating portion of lesser radialextent. Beyond it is another circumferential seal-seating groove 43 fora second O-ring seal 51. A final narrow groove 44 is grasped by a springkey 45 or anchor ring, which projects radially outward within thecounterbore 26 to serve as stop means which limits the closing movementof the stem 35.

The function of the first O-ring seal 41, which seals the portion of thecrossbore 25 to the right of the longitudinal bore 15, is conventional.As to the second O-ring seal 51, it functions both as a seal and as avalving member, to seal within the left end of the crossbore 25. Whenthe valve stem 35 is in closed position, as shown at the midlevel ofFIG. 1, it seals the portion of the crossbore 25 to the left of thelongitudinal bore 15, thus sealing the manifold block 10 at that point.When an actuating knob 37 is pressed inward, as in the case of thelowermost shown in FIG. 1, the second O-ring seal 51 on its stem 35 isdriven out of the crossbore 25 and into the counterbore 26. Thismovement establishes pressure communication from a source of fluidpressure connected to the inlet connector 28, through the flow-passinggroove 42 to the longitudinal bore 15 and thus to the pressure gauge 22.

Releasing the actuating knob 37 causes its spring 31 to draw the stem 35to the right, drawing the second O-ring seal 51 back from thecounterbore 26 to seal within the bore portion 25. The projecting springkey 45 serves as a positive stop, when it abuts the counterbore endsurface 27, to limit the movement of the stem 35 to the right.Alternately the second O-ring seal 51 may be of such large diameter thatit cannot fully enter into the crossbore 25, in which case it will becompressed at its juncture with the counterbore end surface 27, to sealthere and serve as its own stop means.

In ordinary use, the assembled valve manifold is mounted on the bracket,not shown, and three sources of liquid pressure are connected throughinlet connectors 28 screwed into its counterbores 26. The bore 15 andcrossbores 25, which constitute a manifold, which are permitted to fillwith liquid so that it is gas-free to the pressure gauge 22. Then all ofthe ac tuating knobs 37 are released, shutting off the sources of liquidpressure.

To measure one of the inlet pressures on the single pressure gauge 22,one of the actuating knobs 37 is momentarily pressed to open position;the pressure within the manifold will, without any substantial fiow ofliquid, adjust itself to equal that one source of pressure. Releasingthe actuating knob 37 cuts off that source of pressure but permits thepressure to remain in the manifold and on the gauge 22. When it isdesired to measure a second pressure source, the actuating knob 37 forthat pressure source is momentarily depressed; immediately the pressurewithin the manifold will readjust itself to equal that of the secondsource of pressure and the gauge willreflect it. Thus, pressures arecommunicated to the manifold, and not a flow of liquid.

Comparison of two pressures by their readings on a single pressure gauge22 is inherently much more accurate than the comparison of readings oftwo separate gauges; any error in calibration is not likely to have asignificant effect on the difference between its two readings. Thepresent invention makes it economical to employ a single goodqualitygauge. Should it be desired to check its accuracy or calibrate it at anytime, the capnut 18 may be removed and a test gauge 56 connected, asshown in phantom lines.

A unique advantage of the present construction is its ease ofmanufacture. A manifold may be constructed to reflect as many sources ofpressure as are desired to be gauged, without substantial increase incost.

We claim:

1. For use with a pressure gauge,

a valved manifold for gauging, selectively and individually, a

plurality of sources of fluid pressure, comprising a manifold blockhaving a longitudinal bore terminating in an outlet, the outlet havingconnector means to attach such a pressure gauge, the manifold blockfurther having a plurality of parallel crossbores extending through theblock from a first edge thereof to an opposite edge, each crossboreintersecting the longitudinal bore and comprising a first crossboreportion extending from said first edge of the block to the longitudinalbore, and

a second crossbore portion aligned axially with said first crossboreportion and extending from the longitudinal bore to a juncture with aninlet counterbore formed in said opposite edge of the block,

each counterbore having means to make an inlet connection from one ofsaid sources of fluid pressures,

a valve stem reciprocable within each crossbore and extending throughboth its first crossbore portion and second crossbore portion and intoits counterbore and there havmeans to seat the stem sealedly at thejuncture of the counterbore with said second crossbore portion,

each valve stem further having first means to seal between the stem andthe first crossbore portion, spring means to bias the stem axially toclosed position, and manually depressable means, adjacent to said firstedge of the block, to overcome said spring means and to unseat the saidmeans to seat the stem.

whereby to provide pressure communication from a selected source offluid pressure through such inlet connection into the counterbore of oneof said second crossbore portions and thence, through said secondcrossbore portion and longitudinal bore, to such pressure gauge 2. Avalved manifold as defined in claim 6, wherein the means to seat eachstem s'ealedly comprises i stop means afiixed to the stem within thecounterbore, and

second'means to seal mounted on the stem inwardly adjacent to the stopmeans, and making sealing contact between the stem and second crossboreportion when the stem is in closed position,

said second means to seal being displaced into the counterbore when thestem is de ressed. 3. A valved manifold as efined in claim 7, whereinthe second meansvto seal in an O-ring mounted'on each stern inwardlyadjacent to its stop means, the O-ring having an outer diameter, whenuncompressed, greater than that of the second crossbore portion,

whereby, on closing, to be drawn from the counterbore into andcompressively to seal the second crossbore portion under the biasingforce of the spring means. 4. A valved manifold as defined in claim 1,wherein the first means to seal is a first O-ring mounted in suchposition on each stem as to seal the first crossbore portion throughoutsuch range of axial movement of the stem, and the second means to sealis an O-ring mounted on each stern inwardly adjacent to its stop means,and the stem has a flow-passing portion of lesser radial extent inwardof said second means to seal, and the stop means is a spring key affixedto the stem, whereby the stern may be machined from round rod stock. 5.A valved manifold as defined in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal borehas a second outlet opposite the first outlet, and has a removable captherefor, and connector means thereat, whereby, on removal of such cap,a supplementary test gauge may be connected to said connector means toverify the readings of the pressure gauge.

1. For use with a pressure gauge, a valved manifold for gauging,selectively and individually, a plurality of sources of fluid pressure,comprising a manifold block having a longitudinal bore terminating in anoutlet, the outlet having connector means to attach such a pressuregauge, the manifold block further having a plurality of parallelcrossbores extending through the block from a first edge thereof to anopposite edge, each crossbore intersecting the longitudinal bore andcomprising a first crossbore portion extending from said first edge ofthe block to the longitudinal bore, and a second crossbore portionaligned axially with said first crossbore portion and extending from thelongitudinal bore to a juncture with an inlet counterbore formed in saidopposite edge of the block, each counterbore having means to make aninlet connection from one of said sources of fluid pressures, a valvestem reciprocable within each crossbore and extending through both itsfirst crossbore portion and second crossbore portion and into itscounterbore and there having means to seat the stem sealedly at thejuncture of the counterbore with said second crossbore portion, eachvalve stem further having first means to seal between the stem and thefirst crossbore portion, spring means to bias the stem axially to closedposition, and manually depressable means, adjacent to said first edge ofthe block, to overcome said spring means and to unseat the said means toseat the stem, whereby to provide pressure communication from a selectedsource of fluid pressure through such inlet connection into thecounterbore of one of said second crossbore portions and thence, throughsaid second crossbore portion and longitudinal bore, to such pressuregauge.
 2. A valved manifold as defined in claim 6, wherein the means toseat each stem sealedly comprises stop means affixed to the stem withinthe counterbore, and second means to seal mounted on the stem inwardlyadjacent to the stop means, and making sealing contact between the stemand second crossbore portion when the stem is in closed position, saidsecond means to seal being displaced into the counterbore when the stemis depressed.
 3. A valved manifold as defined in claim 7, wherein thesecond means to seal in an O-ring mounted on each stem inwardly adjacentto its stop means, the O-ring having an outer diameter, whenuncompressed, greater than that of the second crossbore portion,whereby, on closing, to be drawn from the counterbore into andcompressively to seal the second crossbore portion under the biasingforce of the spring means.
 4. A valved manifold as defined in claim 1,wherein the first means to seal is a first O-ring mounted in suchposition on each stem as to seal the first crossbore portion throughoutsuch range of axial movement of the stem, and the second means to sealis an O-ring mounted on each stem inwardly adjacent to its stop means,and the stem has a flow-passing portion of lesser radial extent inwardof said second means to seal, and the stop means is a spring key affixedto the stem, whereby the stem may be machined from round rod stock.
 5. Avalved manifold as defined in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal bore hasa second outlet opposite the first outlet, and has a removable captherefor, and connector means thereat, whereby, on removal of such cap,a supplementary test gauge may be connected to said connector means toverify the readings of the pressure gauge.